Good Morning!
On a recent trip to Brown County, it was evident that we are in the dead of winter. The leaves are scattered on the ground, brown and lifeless. The skies are mostly grey and a bit dreary. Snow is always imminent. It all makes me yearn for the life and vitality of spring!
I was reminded of the caterpillar who lies dormant for a while only to emerge as a new being; the butterfly! Isn’t it interesting to think...the butterfly was always there in the DNA of the caterpillar, it only needed to pause for a bit and be biologically awakened.
The church is in a bit of a dead-of-winter situation. Many churches are closed to in-person services or those who are meeting in-person are experiencing lower numbers than normal. At times, it has seemed pretty hopeless.
Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Read that last part again…”the gates of Hades (hell) will not overcome it (His Church).
It seems to me that God is showing us a pattern. Just as the color and warmth of spring comes out of the death of winter, and the beauty and grace of the butterfly spring from the chrysalis, I believe God will see His Church emerge from COVID. And…maybe it will look quite a bit different than it did before. Even as the ‘gates of Hades’ edge closer, as God leads us, works within us, and spills out of us, we will continue to be agents and ambassadors of His Kingdom. And His Church will prevail!
--Pat Byers
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